Back from my travels, I could not have hoped for a finer weekend on the
moor. Early mist lifted to warm, golden October sunshine and the colours glowed
in the hedgerows, while Michaelmas daisies made bright splashes of white, pink
and purple along the edge of the reedbeds. There were plenty of good things to
see on the bird front as well.

A Great White Egret found earlier in the week was still present on Saturday
and showing well at times although it has not been reported since. Three Bearded
Tits appeared in front of the first screen on Sunday. One of them was a male and
may be one of the juveniles that has moulted into adult plumage, rather than a
new individual. Three Stonechats could be seen along the path south of the hide
along with a Whinchat. Other Whinchats were in the reedbed and the oaks beside
the first screen. A Wheatear was found at the Noke end. Golden Plover were seen
flying over and a real portent of winter were a party of seven Redwings, the
first of this autumn.

Kestrels are currently the default raptor and there are at least four
different individuals hunting over the fields. On Sunday morning as it warmed up
at one point we could see at least seven Buzzards soaring over Greenaways and
the reedbeds. A Garganey was on the southern lagoon with Teal on Friday.

Lizards can still be found basking by the first screen but I presume that
they will soon start to hibernate once the weather changes and it gets colder. A
northerly airflow is predicted for later this week along with much lower
temperatures, perhaps the northerlies will bring some of our other familiar
winter visitors, conditions all over the reserve this year look really good for
Hen Harriers and Short Eared Owls.